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Write a 4-page (around 1000 words) essay in the form of a letter that offers a solution to a particular, local problem; the essay must be stylistically tailored for your audience and include a variety of evidence/support.  For example, you might write a letter to your supervisor about a way for your company to save money, so people won't have to be laid-off, or a letter to the chair of the math department proposing a system for testing the language skills of international teachers.  Make sure you have a well-defined problem; a clearly proposed solution; a reasonable tone; and a convincing argument in which you explain how the solution will solve the problem, demonstrate that the solution is feasible, anticipate reader's objections and questions, and evaluate  alternative solutions.        

• This essay should be a practical proposal in the form of a letter targeted to a specific audience, preferably related to a group to which you belong (work, service, club, church, community, etc.) 

• Make sure you spend most of your essay explaining HOW and WHY your solution will solve the problem--use very specific examples and details to show how your solution would solve the problem.  THIS IS THE MOST CRUCIAL PART OF THE ASSIGNMENT.       

• Anticipate problems/counterarguments that your audience will have with the solution and defend yourself against them.  Pay special attention to the feasibility of your solution.

• Also, consider counterproposals or alternative solutions that your audience may offer and defend yourself against them as well. (Know the difference between counterarguments and counterproposals.)

• Your essay should be an action proposal that clearly specifies the steps your audience should take to solve the problem.

Topics:  Good topics are essential to this assignment.  Try to use the most unique, specific one that you can. Try to choose a problem that affects you directly.  Don't choose a problem that can't be solved. Don't choose a topic whose solution is too easy/obvious.  DON'T CHOOSE PROBLEMS FOR WHICH THE SOLUTION INVOLVES A LOT OF MONEY (i.e., raising taxes or charging fees).  Avoid these problems:  parking, time management, noise in the dorm, cafeteria problems, global problems (abortion, capital punishment, etc.)  The best topics in the past have been ones that have concerned a person’s job or a group the person was associated with (i.e., school clubs, church groups, organizations).

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